Street Economy Research Articles

Exploring the street economy in African cities: A review of practices, regulatory policies, and challenges of urban governance in Ghana

ABSTRACT This paper explores the governance and resilience of the urban street economy in Ghanaian cities as a reflection of the operational features of informality in African cities. The paper draws on a comprehensive review of secondary documents to explore the practices, policy regulation, urban governance challenges, and resilience of the street economy in urban Ghana. Findings show that eviction, relocation, harassment, and merchandise confiscation are the orthodox policy measures by city authorities for managing and regulating street vending. Nevertheless, the street economy continuously reproduces and spatially redistributes itself across the urban landscape, exemplifying its resilience despite state intolerance and repression. The paper concludes by recommending that city authorities embrace street vending, and by extension, urban informality, as a part of Southern urbanism and, therefore, develop more inclusive and less hostile policies to regulate such activities.

Survey Analysis and Countermeasure Research on<b> </b>the Status of Street Vendor Economy around Universities

Although the existence of street vendors around universities brings a lot of convenience to students' campus life, the problems of health and space hidden behind them should not be underestimated, and they have become a big problem for governance. This paper is based on the field survey results of Sichuan University of Science and Engineering, combined with the questionnaire data, from the analysis of the current situation of the street vendor economy, to explore the reasons for the prosperity of the street vendor economy around the universities and its problems, and put forward a rationalized countermeasure for the governance of the street vendor economy, in order to reduce the negative impact of the street vendor around the university and to ensure the healthy and orderly development of it.

The street begging economy: investigating the economic strategies of street beggars in Ghana

PurposeThis study investigates the economic strategies street beggars (SBs) employ in Ghana to gain a competitive advantage within the contested urban spaces they occupy. By conceptualising SBs as economic actors, the research shifts the focus from perceiving them as passive recipients of charity to recognising their intentional decision-making and strategic behaviour to maximise financial benefits.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopts a qualitative case study approach, using non-participant observation and semi-structured interviews with 40 SBs in Kumasi, Ghana. Thematic analysis was used to identify the economic strategies used by SBs to gain a competitive advantage.FindingsThe study reveals three main strategies adopted by SBs: child advertisement, body marketing, and narrative marketing. These strategies emerge from the SBs' contextual understanding of the public’s social protection needs and are used to develop strategies that give them an advantage over other SBs within contested urban streets.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research could explore the effectiveness of different economic strategies employed by street beggars and compare their financial outcomes. Investigating the public’s perceptions and attitudes towards these strategies could provide valuable insights.Practical implicationsPolicymakers and city authorities should acknowledge some street begging as an economic activity and develop regulations, designate begging areas, and establish guidelines for acceptable practices. Creating targeted skill training, entrepreneurship programs, and access to microfinance can facilitate the transition of street beggars from begging to more sustainable forms of livelihood.Social implicationsThis study challenges the perception of street beggars as passive victims, highlighting their agency and strategic decision-making. Recognizing their economic strategies can inform policies that regulate begging as an economic activity, create alternative opportunities, and prevent exploitation of vulnerable groups, ultimately promoting more sustainable and dignified livelihoods for street beggars.Originality/valueThis study seeks to enrich the current literature and bridge the research gap by investigating the phenomenon of street begging and the diverse economic strategies street beggars employ to gain a competitive advantage within urban areas. This research moves beyond computing financial income and regulating begging by conceptualizing SBs as economic actors and begging as an economic activity. It explores how SBs use conscious efforts and rational strategies to maximize financial benefits from passers-by and outperform other SBs, providing novel insights into the complex dynamics of street begging.

Inspiration and Innovation of Informal Economic Governance under Socialism with Chinese Characteristics: Reconstruction of Street Vendor Governance Model in Fuyang City

Vallholder economy is an important driving force for urban economic and social development in the new era. Under the background of socialism with Chinese characteristics, through comparative research, empirical research, investigation and analysis, this paper concluded that the street vendor economy is informal, long-term and complex. For the governance of Chinese street vendors, we should learn from the theory, absorb foreign experience based on the national conditions and urban status, and find the breakthrough of governance from the root. Formulate “flexible” flexible policies, optimize space politics, divide and rule, break through the constraints of regularization, reconstruct and innovate the economic governance model of Chinese street vendors, and realize the “Sinicization of governance concept, local governance policy and contemporary governance model”. The research has enlightenment and reference significance for enriching the development of political economy theory, innovating the informal economic governance model and developing the informal economy in the new era.

Making money moves: rural women, returnees, and renegotiations of sex work through the street in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT Feminist research has highlighted both the emancipatory components of sex work on women’s lives, as well as the problematic nature of an overly romanticised reading of women’s sexual labour. In Ethiopian cities, including the capital, Addis Ababa, rural migrant women and returnee women from the Gulf States are confronted with layered forms of structural disadvantage that narrow the scope of their prospects for economic empowerment and deepen their vulnerability. Consequently, women relate to the street as a connector to capital, despite clashing claims for access and proximity that govern the street economy. This paper explores the everyday lived experiences of rural migrant women and returnee women streetworkers in Addis Ababa. Drawing on qualitative data collected in 2022 and 2023, the findings of this study show that women resort to sex work under conditions of protracted economic strain and an absence of viable alternatives for self-employment. Due to the marginalisation they face as part of the informal labour market, women exercise sex work both in the form of streetwalking and through routine engagements in transactional sexual relationships; both activities representing a central component of women’s ability to get by in the city. This paper argues that despite being the site of consequential transformation, women’s economic empowerment through sex work takes place within an entrenched patriarchal order that reproduces disenfranchising power inequalities through the practice of sex work itself, while reasserting the way women’s bodily integrity, safety, aspirations, and social standing are governed on – and by – the street.

Evaluation of the Suitability of Street Vending Planning in Urban Public Space in the Post-COVID-19 Era

The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred the resurgence of the informal street vending economy. This revival has boosted the market economy but has also challenged urban governance. Recognizing street vending deregulation as both a stimulus for employment and a potential challenge to hygiene and safety, this study evaluates the suitability of street vending within Wuchang District of Wuhan, China. The methodology unfolds in four steps: constructing an indicator system based on a policy and literature review, a spatial quantitative analysis via GIS, weight allocation through expert consultation and entropy methods, and the identification of suitable areas as well as strategies. Findings reveal suitability clusters centered around key urban nodes, extending across central and mid-western zones through corridors like Zhongnan Road, demonstrating the potential for centralized management and economic permeation into surrounding areas. The analysis of land-use compatibility showed that commercial, park, and residential lands offer the highest suitability for vending activities, proposing management strategies tailored to enhance business in commercial areas, flexible configurations in residential zones, diverse development in parks, quality-oriented development in public squares, and strict control in scenic and tourist facilities. This study not only deepens our understanding of the geographical distribution of and factors influencing street vending, but also proposes integrated management strategies for vending in urban public spaces, fostering vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable urban environments.

High-End Street Vendor Economy and Sustainable Urban Development: A Comprehensive Analysis of Policy, Planning, and Social Engagement

This article explores the high-end street vending economy in China and its implications for sustainable urban development, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. It examines the policy planning and social engagement that have facilitated the growth of this economic model, which has emerged as a vital component in alleviating economic pressure, promoting employment, and safeguarding livelihoods in urban settings. This study utilizes case studies to present the current status, potential, and developmental trends of the high-end street vending economy, highlighting its popularity and governmental support in cities such as Shanghai. Additionally, the research delves into the challenges and opportunities presented by this economic model, including environmental impacts, resource sustainability, social inclusivity, and economic sustainability. It provides a comprehensive analysis of how high-end street vending can contribute to urban planning, public space utilization, and the promotion of cultural diversity and urban image. Finally, the paper concludes with policy recommendations and a future outlook on the integration of high-end street vending economies within sustainable urban development frameworks.

Prevalence and correlates of workplace violence: descriptive results from the National Transgender Discrimination Survey

ObjectiveTo describe the lifetime prevalence of workplace harassment, physical violence and sexual assault against transgender and non-binary workers targeted due to their gender identity and to identify correlates of this...

Post-Pandemic Legislative Transition Analysis in China’s Metropolises: Street Vending between Prohibition and Legalization

The governance of the street vendor economy has always been an important part of the social grass-roots governance. To stimulate the economy and ensure employment in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era, the Chinese government's policy towards the street vendor economy has transitioned from prohibition to legalization. This paper traces the three distinct historical phases of China's economic policy concerning street stalls in the 21st century, shedding light on the resistance encountered during the process of legalization. Subsequently, it uses policy comparative analysis to explain the legislative transition and the underlying reasons for these changes in three major Chinese metropolises: Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Beijing. The results show that the city's legislative turning and diversion strategies cannot achieve the expected effect. So the paper proffers suggestions for future policy-making. The suggestions include Person-centered place designation, flexible time, and rights protection policy.

Comparative Analysis of Economic Governance Models for Street Vendors Across Urban Scales —— A Case Study of Suzhou, Jiaxing, and Taicang

With the rapid advancement of urbanization, the street vendor economy, as an important component of the informal sector in cities, plays an indispensable role in promoting employment, activating markets, and meeting diverse consumer needs. However, the unregulated expansion of the street vendor economy has posed urban management challenges, including issues related to environmental hygiene, traffic order, and urban safety. This study explores and compares the patterns and differences in the economic governance of street vendors across cities of varying scales, offering a theoretical basis and practical guidance for urban management. By integrating urban governance theory with desktop research, we define the concept and attributes of the street vendor economy. Following this, we select representative cities of various scales as research objects. Subsequently, we conduct a comparative analysis of the impacts and challenges posed by different urban governance models. Furthermore, we discuss the economic, social, cultural, and policy factors that lead to these differences. Lastly, this study provides strategic suggestions for the economic governance of street vendors in cities of different scales, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a balance between social inclusiveness and economic development.

The Insights of Japanese Street Stall Management and Cultural Design for the Development of China’s Street Economy

In the development processes of many countries, changes in economic policies, insufficient driving forces for economic development, and financial crises leading to rising unemployment have resulted in the expansion of the street economy. As a significant component of informal employment, the street economy holds crucial significance in addressing livelihood issues and promoting urban economic growth. Therefore, measures and policies that regulate, guide, and support the development of the street economy need to be implemented. This paper, through the compilation of data and relevant research works on street economies in China and Japan, explores the relevance and insights of Japanese street stall management and cultural design for the development of China's street economy. It begins by discussing the background of Japan's street stall economy, conducting a detailed analysis of the effectiveness of its management models and the uniqueness of its cultural design, highlighting the advantages of Japanese street stalls. Next, it introduces the current status of China's street economy development and emphasizes the current attention on the "micro" economy, along with the pressing issues it faces. It then compares the street economies of both China and Japan, emphasizing the strengths of Japan's street economy and the shortcomings in China's low-carbon economic development. Taking into account the development status of China's street economy, it examines the relevance and insights for China's street economy development. Finally, it concludes by summarizing the significant potential of street economy development and suggests the importance of establishing clear legal provisions to positively influence its growth.

Reading Desires

Abstract Based on fieldwork among pimps and sex workers in Eastern Romania, this article explores the personal skills that pimps deem necessary in order to be successful in the transnational street business of pimping in other EU countries. The article introduces the concepts of “reading desires” and “instillation of love,” which enable the pimps to “access” the desires of others. Through these concepts, I argue that the pimps have increased social capacities in distinct social arenas. These skills are not necessarily useful in other arenas of their lives, but in their preparation for entering the transnational street economy abroad, these skills are crucial.

Policy Reflection and Demystify on Street Vendors in the Context of COVID-19—Based on the Empirical Investigation of Pingfang District in Harbin

At the beginning of 2020, the epidemic raged in China. Faced with the great pressure of economic downturn, the state has issued policies to relax the limitations on the street vending economy, making it promote employment and maintaining social stability in the stage of economic restart and recovery. This paper discussed policies related to street vendor economy under the background of epidemic in Pingfang District and gave reasonable suggestions for the orderly and stable development of the vendor economy in the post-epidemic era.

Factors and Constraints of Street Economy Activities in the City of Natitingou in Northern Benin

Factors and Constraints of Street Economy Activities in the City of Natitingou in Northern Benin

High-end Street Vendor Economy—the Status Quo, Challenges and Policy Responses of Car Boot Sales

Under the fully open post-epidemic period, the national demand for stable employment and people's livelihood has set off a wave of "street vendor heat", the situation of street vendor economy has changed, and the car boot sales quietly rises with the deep combination of car boot sales culture and consumption. Based on the study and analysis of the status quo of the car boot sales, this paper lists the new challenges facing the development and management of the car boot sales from the perspective of urban governance and puts forward the policy countermeasures to solve the pain spots of car boot sales.

The Socio-economic Analysis of the Street Economy in the Twin Cities of Pakistan (Article)


 
 
 
 
 The study provides a socio-economic analysis of the street economy using primary data based on a survey of 1,863 fixed street vendors operating in the Twin Cities of Pakistan. Descriptive analysis shows that street vendors, on average, make a significant profit of US$ 212 per month (29 percent of total monthly revenue). They chose to vend due to the lack of formal education and the unavailability of formal sector jobs. Vendors pay more than 51 percent of their operating cost (US$107 per month) as rent to shop owners to place carts/tables in front of shops. About 98 percent of vendors operate without legal protection (e.g. license/permit), leading to frequent evictions. The economic loss constitutes about 62 percent of the monthly revenue (215 percent of the monthly net profit) due to one-time expulsion by the administration. The Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) shows that around 21 percent of vendors are acutely vulnerable, while more than 25 percent of SVs are vulnerable. Multivariate analysis indicates that socio-economic vulnerabilities negatively and significantly impact monthly profits. These findings provide insights to policymakers and other stakeholders, including entrepreneurs, market associations, regulators, administrative authorities, and social protection agencies, to harness the potential economic benefits of the street economy.
 
 
 
 

Circumventing the investor-friendly city and displaceability in Maputo’s street economy space

This article explores how street economy workers are resisting the condition of ‘displaceability’ imposed upon them via exclusionary market-led redevelopment and state-municipal practices in Maputo, Mozambique. In particular, it focuses on how street and market workers engage in forms of ‘street politics’ to build their rights to produce, to inhabit and to work in public spaces from which they are being excluded. Drawing on Yiftachel’s notion of ‘displaceability’ and adopting a spatial perspective, we describe and discuss the main exclusionary aspects of current market-led redevelopment in Maputo’s peri-central area, including municipal and state practices and the (non)use of planning laws. Against this background, we examine the circumventing tactics of street and market vendors. We construe these tactics in the terrain of social legitimacy—or actual rights—as forms of challenging market-driven state practices of demolitions, resettlement, forced zoning, and social banishing of street economy workers.

The Experience of International Street Vendor Economy’s Policy and Enlightenment Through Desk Research

In recent years, the street vendor economy, an informal economic activity in which individual workers obtain income by selling legal goods in urban public space, has developed rapidly all over the world. This phenomenon is inseparable from the change of attitude and policy towards informal economy in various countries, certainly, the street-stall economy has its unique charm. This paper uses the SWOT analysis, one of the desktop research’s essential methods, to obtain the international experience and inspiration for the street vendor economy through the analysis of the China, Vietnam and South Africa. By analyzing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threat of the policy and law in the Vietnam and South Africa respectively, the enlightenment from these two countries the author had studied might help promote the perfection of the policy in China.

Las Vegas in Singapore: Violence, Progress, and the Crisis of Nationalist Modernity

Las Vegas in Singapore: Violence, Progress, and the Crisis of Nationalist Modernity

How does Street Vending Economy Help Rural to Urban Migrants Integrate into Cities?

Street vending is a form of informal economy. The main participants of street vending economy consist of exploited workers, rural-urban migrants who are in low level of socioeconomic households, common workers, and some individual households. Most of the studies and articles have explored how to regulate the street vending economy and how to facilitate the relationship between vendors and city authorities, but the important constitute of street vending economies, rural migrants, has received little attention from scholars and there is little research about it. What role does street vending economy play in the lives of this segment of this population which itself faces a number of challenges in migrating and integrating into the city? We have found out that street vending functions as a platform which helps these people to better integrate into the cities. Through desktop research and case studies, this paper explores how street vending economy helps rural to urban migrants integrate into the city from four perspectives: identity integration, integrating in economic level, integrating in social level, and females' empowerment.